Warringah Freeway Upgrade Brings Peak Traffic Delays

Sydney commuters, prepare to have your patience tested over the holidays as major construction continues on the Warringah Freeway.

Drivers are warned to expect delays as critical construction began after Christmas Day, utilising the quieter summer holiday period on Sydney roads.

From 26 December night, crews will be working around the clock until 26 January 2025 with diversions due to multiple lane and ramp closures between Cammeray, Neutral Bay and North Sydney.

In a statement released, Transport for NSW Coordinator General, Howard Collins assures drivers that the vital “construction blitz” will save up to six extended weekend closures and 70 nights of “noisy work” later.

“We want to warn both residents and visitors to Sydney that this will mean longer journey times on the Warringah Freeway, due to these lane and ramp closures. This will result in journey times that are closer to normal weekday peak hours,” assured Collins.

Warringah upgrade includes demolition and widening of bridges

As drivers navigate the disruptions, crews are focusing on essential upgrades along the four-kilometre corridor. The plans include demolishing the Ridge Street shared user bridge, upgrading retaining walls at Alfred Street’s off ramp, removing existing retaining walls at Mount Street underpass and widening the High Street bridge.

Major closures are scheduled including the southbound Warringah Freeway between Gore Hill Freeway, Artarmon and Mount Street, North Sydney on weekends for a month.

Furthermore, Collins urged commuters to plan ahead.

“Make sure you plan ahead, check Livetraffic.com and allow plenty of extra time, especially if you are heading to the airport,” Collins said.

Frustrated drivers already bearing the brunt of the closures

Many people expecting lighter traffic during the holiday season instead found themselves in bumper-to-bumper gridlock.

In a quick interview with 7News, one commuter reported being stuck for over 30 minutes while the congestion stretched across Sydney Harbour Bridge, with forced diversions compounding delays.

Drivers further lamented the long waits and serious traffic with one driver calling it “disgusting”

Although this is only a hint of what’s to come, drivers are to remain patient during the peak hour traffic till January 26th.

Warringah Freeway work to be briefly halted on New Year’s Eve

For those wondering how this will affect their New Year’s celebrations, Collins had some good news

“Despite the major works that will be taking place, we want to assure people that New Year’s Eve traffic will not be impacted. As we did a year ago during the holiday period, lanes will be opened up and work shut down to facilitate traffic on New Year’s Eve.”

Transport NSW also reminds motorists that double demerit points will be in effect till 1 January 2025 for speeding, seatbelt, mobile and helmet offences.

While the work aims to deliver long-term improvement with the short term suffering, Sydney drivers are feeling the strain of one of the city’s busiest infrastructure upgrades.